Teardown & Component Analysis

Before proceeding with this page we strongly encourage you to a look at our PSUs 101 article, which provides valuable information about PSUs and their operation, allowing you to better understand the components we're about to discuss.

This PSU is made by High Power, though Micronics seems to have played a role as well since it provides the zero-wattage controller that allows the fan to spin even after shutting down.

The platform is old. It features a group regulated scheme on its secondary side, along with passive rectification. By today's standards, this is a weird combination, especially since some similarly-priced PSUs come equipped with DC-DC converters for generating the minor rails. A group regulation scheme means that the PSU's performance with unbalanced loads on its rails will be terrible.

Teapo SC caps are used on the secondary side. They're not among our favorites. However, they're still of higher quality than some of the Chinese stuff other OEMs use in their budget-oriented models. The Teapo bulk cap has a long lifetime rating, and it's nice to see a true FDB fan at this price range.

in_top2

in_top1

in-top3

in_top4

in_transienta1

in_transienta2

in_transienta3

in_transientb_front

in_MOV_bridge_rectifier

in_APFC-FETs

in_APFC_boost_diode

in_bulk_cap

in_thermistor

in_magic_IC

in_magic_IC_close

in_optocouplers

in_5VSB_standby_controller

in_minor_rails_rectifiers

in_minor_rails_rectifiers_side

in_secondary_side_caps_coils

in_secondary_side_caps3

in_secondary_side_caps2

in_protections_IC

in_protections_IC-(2)

in_main-PCB_close_ICs

in_main-PCB_close_ICs2

in_main-PCB_close_diode

in_main_PCB

in_main-PCB_close1

in_main-PCB_close2

in_main-PCB_close3

in_fan_bearing1

in_fan_bearing2

in_fan

in_top2

in_top1

in-top3

in_top4

in_transienta1

in_transienta2

in_transienta3

in_transientb_front

in_MOV_bridge_rectifier

in_APFC-FETs

in_APFC_boost_diode

in_bulk_cap

in_thermistor

in_magic_IC

in_magic_IC_close

in_optocouplers

in_5VSB_standby_controller

in_minor_rails_rectifiers

in_minor_rails_rectifiers_side

in_secondary_side_caps_coils

in_secondary_side_caps3

in_secondary_side_caps2

in_protections_IC

in_protections_IC-(2)

in_main-PCB_close_ICs

in_main-PCB_close_ICs2

in_main-PCB_close_diode

in_main_PCB

in_main-PCB_close1

in_main-PCB_close2

in_main-PCB_close3

in_fan_bearing1

in_fan_bearing2

in_fan

These photos show the PSU's major parts.

Here is the fan's fluid dynamic bearing. Inside, you can see the spiral grooves characteristic of this bearing type.

in_top2

in_top1

in-top3

in_top4

in_transienta1

in_transienta2

in_transienta3

in_transientb_front

in_MOV_bridge_rectifier

in_APFC-FETs

in_APFC_boost_diode

in_bulk_cap

in_thermistor

in_magic_IC

in_magic_IC_close

in_optocouplers

in_5VSB_standby_controller

in_minor_rails_rectifiers

in_minor_rails_rectifiers_side

in_secondary_side_caps_coils

in_secondary_side_caps3

in_secondary_side_caps2

in_protections_IC

in_protections_IC-(2)

in_main-PCB_close_ICs

in_main-PCB_close_ICs2

in_main-PCB_close_diode

in_main_PCB

in_main-PCB_close1

in_main-PCB_close2

in_main-PCB_close3

in_fan_bearing1

in_fan_bearing2

in_fan

in_top2

in_top1

in-top3

in_top4

in_transienta1

in_transienta2

in_transienta3

in_transientb_front

in_MOV_bridge_rectifier

in_APFC-FETs

in_APFC_boost_diode

in_bulk_cap

in_thermistor

in_magic_IC

in_magic_IC_close

in_optocouplers

in_5VSB_standby_controller

in_minor_rails_rectifiers

in_minor_rails_rectifiers_side

in_secondary_side_caps_coils

in_secondary_side_caps3

in_secondary_side_caps2

in_protections_IC

in_protections_IC-(2)

in_main-PCB_close_ICs

in_main-PCB_close_ICs2

in_main-PCB_close_diode

in_main_PCB

in_main-PCB_close1

in_main-PCB_close2

in_main-PCB_close3

in_fan_bearing1

in_fan_bearing2

in_fan

Our first sample died during the over-power protection test. Its bridge rectifier was fried, and a resistor close to the primary FETs exploded.